Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
Pokemon Go Team Rocket Grunts
Image via Niantic

All October 2024 Team Rocket grunt and shadow Pokémon rewards in Pokémon Go

What shadow Pokémon will you rescue from Team Rocket?

When challenging Team Rocket in Pokémon Go, you may encounter multiple types of grunts. These grunts have unique Pokémon in their lineup, and the type of Pokémon they have indicates the shadow Pokémon rewards you’ll get after beating them.

Recommended Videos

For those seeking a particular Team Rocket Grunt, it’s all random chance. But it helps to know what Pokémon they’ll use. The Pokémon they have on their teams and the ones you can get as a reward change every few months in Pokémon Go. This guide details those changes for October 2024 and what shadow Pokémon you might be able to catch.

Every Team Rocket Grunt team and Pokémon rewards in Pokémon Go

Prepare to take on any Team Rocket Grunt and free their shadow Pokémon. Image via Niantic

When you challenge a Team Rocket Grunt from a Poké Stop or the hot air balloon that appears above you, they’ll all have distinct phases they say before the battle. These phrases indicate the type of Pokémon they will use, giving you a good idea of what Pokémon Go team you should use to counter them.

Here’s a full breakdown of the phrases and what type of Pokémon those Team Rocket Grunts will use. You’ll need to defeat many of them to make it Giovanni, Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra.

Team Rocket Grunt Pokémon TypeTeam Rocket Grunt Phrase
Ace Grunt Female“I’ve already won. Get ready to be defeated! Winning is for the winners!”
Ace Grunt Male“I’ve already won. Get ready to be defeated! Winning is for the winners!”
Bug-type Grunts“Go, my super bug Pokémon!”
Dark-type Grunts“Where there is light, there is also shadow.”
Dragon-type Grunts“Roar! … How’d that sound?”
Electric-type Grunts“Get ready to be shocked!”
Fairy-type Grunts“Check out my cute Pokémon!”
Fighting-type Grunts“This buff physique isn’t just for show!”
Fire-type Grunts“Do you know how hot Pokémon fire breath can get?”
Flying-type Grunts“Battle against my Flying-type Pokémon!”
Ghost-type Grunts“Ke…ke…ke…ke…ke…ke!”
Grass-type Grunts“Don’t tangle with us!”
Ground-type Grunts“You’ll be defeated into the ground!”
Ice-type Grunts“You’re gonna be frozen in your tracks.”
Normal-type Grunts“Normal doesn’t mean weak.”
Poison-type Grunts“Coiled and ready to strike!”
Psychic-type Grunts“Are you scared of psychics that use unseen power?”
Rock-type Grunts“Let’s rock and roll!”
Steel-type Grunts“You’re no match for my iron will!”
Water-type Grunt Female“These waters are treacherous.”
Water-type Grunt Male“These waters are treacherous.”

Now that you know what phrases to look for when battling against a Team Rocket Grunt, here’s a full breakdown of the teams they can use in Pokémon Go, and their shadow Pokémon rewards.

Team Rocket Grunt Pokémon TypeFirst ChoiceSecond ChoiceThird ChoiceShadow Pokémon Rewards
Ace Grunt FemaleSnorlaxSnorlax, Poliwrath, or GardevoirDragonite, Gyarados, or SnorlaxSnorlax
Ace Grunt MaleChikorita, Cyndaquil, or TotodileBayleef, Quilava, or CroconawMeganium, Typhlosion, or FeraligatrChikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile
Bug-type GruntsVenipede, Scyther, or ShuckleShelmet, Karrablast, or AnorithScizor, Forretress, or BeedrillDweeble, Shuckle, Scyther, Shuckle, Shelmet, Karablast, or Anorith
Dark-type GruntsAlolan Rattata, Cacnea, or StunkyAlolan Muk or Alolan RaticateAlolan Muk or SkuntankAlolan Rattata, Cacnea, or Stunky
Dragon-type GruntsBagon, Dratini, or GibleDragonair, Gabite, or Alolan ExeggutorDragonite, Garchomp, or SalamenceBagon, Gible, or Dratini
Electric-type GruntsMagnemite, Joltik, or BlitzleAlolan Geodude, Voltorb, or ElectabuzzAmpharos, Galvantula, or LuxrayBlitzle, Mareep, Alolan Geodude, Voltorb, Electabuzz, or Joltik
Fairy-type GruntsMawile, Snubbull, or Alolan VulpixKirlia, Snubull, or GranbullAlolan Ninetales, Granbull, or GardevoirAlolan Vulpix, Mawile, or Snubbull
Fighting-type GruntsMachop, Mankey, or TimburrHitmonchan, Hitmonlee, or GurdurrInfernape, Conkeldurr, or ToxicroakMachop, Mankey, or Timburr
Fire-type GruntsCyndaquil or DarumakaHoundoom or QuilavaDarmanitan, Houndoom, or TyphlosionChimchar or Darumaka
Flying-type GruntsPidgey, Starly, or ZubatGligar, Starvia, or ZubatDragonite, Archeops, or PidgeotPidgey, Starly, Zubat, Gligar, or Starvia
Ghost-type GruntsDrifloon, Golett, or DuskullSableye, Dusclops, or GolettAlolan Marowak, Froslass, or GengarMisdreavus, Drifloon, Duskull, Sableye, or Golett
Grass-type GruntsSnover, Hoppip, or TreeckoGrovyle, Ferrothorn, or LileepCacturne, Meganium, or VileplumeSnover, Hoppip, or Treecko
Ground-type GruntsDrilbur, Rhyhorn, or WooperDrilbur, Rhyhorn, or VibravaWhiscash, Flygon, or TorterraDrilbur, Rhyhorn, Wooper, or Vibrava
Ice-type GruntsSnorunt, Alolan Snadshrew, or SneaselAlolan Ninetales, Froslass, or GlalieAbomasnow, Froslass, or GlalieSnorunt, Alolan Snadshrew, or Sneasel
Normal-type GruntsGlameow, Teddiursa, or StantlerMeowth, Rattata, or PuruglyBibarel, Ursaring, or StantlerGlameow, Teddiursa, or Stantler
Poison-type GruntsHisuian Sneasel, Croagunk, or KoffingNidorina or NidorinoAmoonguss, Weezing, or ToxicroakHisuian Sneasel, Croagunk, or Koffing
Psychic-type GruntsGothita or SolosisWobbuffet, Gothorita, or RaltsGallade, Metagross, or ReuniculusGothita or Solosis
Rock-type GruntsRoggenrola, Tirtouga, or ArchenGraveler, Shieldon, or CranidosArcheops, Carracosta, or GolemArchen or Tirtouga
Steel-type GruntsAlolan Sandshrew, Ferroseed, or Alolan DiglettLairon, Metang, or SkarmoryAlolan Sandslash, Empoleon, or ScizorAlolan Sandshrew, Ferroseed, or Alolan Diglett
Water-type Grunt FemaleShellder, Barboach, and MudkipCloyster, Crawdaunt, and MarshtompCarracosta, Whiscash, and FeraligatrShellder, Barboach, and Mudkip
Water-type Grunt MaleMagikarpMagikarpGyarados or MagikarpMagikarp

Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Zack Palm
Zack Palm
Zack Palm has been writing about video games for the past five years. He spends his free time trying to learn about a new board, reading high-fantasy series, or working on his latest DnD character.